Germany beat Italy in a major tournament for the first time to progress to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, winning 6-5 on penalties at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.
This was an absorbing contest between two teams who may well be the best playing in this European Championship. Well, make that one who is playing in it now.
The world champions Germany went ahead against Italy through Mesut Ozil, before being pulled back later in the second-half by Leonardo Bonucci's penalty following a Jerome Boateng handball. An even contest swung their way heading into extra-time but they could not break down Antonio Conte's stubborn and well-drilled resistance.
Joachim Low's men required penalties ultimately, and were lucky the pressure told just that bit more on their opposition. It finished 6-5, but it took Jonas Hector scoring on the ninth attempt after some dreadful shots by both teams to finally seal their progress.
Germany will look to seal a second consecutive final place now and add a European crown to their world one. They face either France or Iceland (playing Sunday) in the semi-final.
Italy can console themselves with the nature of their effort in normal and extra-time, and in the tournament as a whole. But with Conte departing for Chelsea now they will wonder how big an opportunity was missed in Bordeaux.
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